Flight DELAYED, CANCELLED,
or MISSED?

EU Regulation 261/2004 (EC-261) is a European law that protects passengers when flights are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. It grants rights to:

• Compensation (€250–€600) if the airline is at fault.
• Refunds or rerouting if a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed.
• Meals, accommodation, and assistance during disruptions.

It applies to: All flights departing from the EU and flights arriving in the EU on EU-based airlines.

Compensation depends on flight distance and delay length:

• €250 – Flights up to 1,500 km
• €400 – EU flights over 1,500 km & worldwide flights 1,500–3,500 km
• €600 – Flights over 3,500 km

Important: Compensation may be reduced by 50% if rerouting brings you close to your original arrival time.

• 2 hours delay: No cash compensation, but airlines must provide food, drinks & communication.
• 3+ hours delay: You may claim €250–€600 depending on distance.
• 5+ hours delay: You can cancel your trip and request a full refund.

It is determined based on:

• Flight distance (short, medium, or long haul)
• Arrival delay at the final destination (3+ hours qualifies)
• Route (departing from the EU or arriving in the EU with an EU airline)

These are events outside the airline’s control, such as:

• Severe weather conditions (storms, snow, volcanic ash)
• Air traffic control restrictions
• Political unrest or security risks
• Medical emergencies
• Strikes by airport staff (but not airline crew)

Note: Even in these cases, airlines must provide meals, accommodation, and assistance.

Yes. Extraordinary events such as severe weather, medical emergencies, or airspace closures release airlines from paying compensation.

However: Your right to care still applies — including meals, hotels, and rerouting or refund options.

Your rights depend on how early you were notified:

• 14+ days notice: No compensation, but refund or rerouting is required.
• 7–14 days notice: Compensation may apply unless an acceptable alternative is offered.
• Less than 7 days notice: Full compensation plus refund or rerouting rights.

Yes. If your flight is delayed more than 5 hours or cancelled, you may request a full refund.

If the cancellation makes your trip pointless, you may decline rerouting and take a refund instead.

Yes, you can choose between the following options:

• Immediate rerouting on the next available flight at no cost.
• Rerouting at a later date of your choice, subject to seat availability.
• Refund if you no longer wish to travel.

NOTE: Refunds are optional and can be requested instead of rerouting.

You are entitled to:

• Meals & drinks during waiting periods.
• Hotel accommodation if the delay requires an overnight stay.
• Airport transfers to and from the hotel.
• Two free communications (calls, emails, or messages).

Health emergencies like COVID-19 are considered an extraordinary circumstance, meaning airlines are not required to pay compensation.

However, passengers are still entitled to:

• Refunds for cancelled flights.
• Rebooking options when available.
• Care rights such as food, accommodation, and transfers if stranded.

You are entitled to:

• Compensation (€250–€600) based on distance.
• Refund or rerouting of your choice.
• Meals, refreshments, and accommodation while waiting.

NOTE: If you volunteer your seat, compensation must be mutually negotiated.

Yes, if multiple flights were booked under the same reservation.

Compensation is determined by the arrival delay at the final destination, not at the stopover airport.

You are entitled to:

• 30% refund for flights up to 1,500 km
• 50% refund for flights 1,500–3,500 km
• 75% refund for flights over 3,500 km

No. EC-261 applies regardless of booking method.

The operating airline is responsible for paying compensation.

Yes. You are entitled to the same compensation rights.

The operating airline is still responsible, not the travel agency.

Yes. Airlines must reimburse reasonable expenses including:

• Hotel accommodation for overnight delays.
• Transport between airport and hotel.
• Meals and refreshments.

NOTE: Always keep receipts for faster reimbursement.

• Boarding pass or e-ticket.
• Proof of disruption (email/SMS/airport board photos).
• Receipts for additional expenses.

NOTE: Having complete records strengthens your case.

• Refunds: usually 7–14 days
• Compensation: typically 6–8 weeks (may vary based on airline)

Time limits vary depending on the country where the claim is pursued:

• Germany: 3 years
• France & Spain: 5 years
• Italy: 2 years
• United Kingdom: 6 years

NOTE: Submit claims as early as possible to avoid disputes or difficulties with evidence.

Yes, coverage varies based on where your journey starts and ends:

• Departing from EU: All airlines covered (EU & non-EU).
• Arriving into the EU: Covered only if the operating airline is EU-based.
• Within the EU: Fully covered.
• Outside EU (both airports outside the EU): Not covered under EC-261.

EC-261’s scope is territorial and depends on:

• The airport of departure/arrival
• The nationality (EU-registration) of the operating carrier

Where EC-261 does not apply, other legal frameworks such as the Montreal Convention may provide reimbursement rights — but rules, proof standards and compensation amounts differ.

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DETAILED EXPLANATION

1) Where EC-261 applies (Article 3 simplified)

• Flights departing from any EU Member State: Covered, regardless of airline nationality.
• Flights arriving into the EU from outside the EU: Covered only if the operating airline is EU-based.

Example: New York → Paris operated by a European airline = covered. New York → Paris on a non-EU airline = not covered.

2) Why this distinction exists

EC-261 is an EU regulation designed to protect passengers within the EU aviation market. It cannot automatically regulate flights between two non-EU territories — this is outside EU legislative authority.

3) Operating carrier vs marketing carrier (codeshare relevance)

EC-261 obligations fall on the operating airline — the airline physically operating the aircraft — not the airline printed on the ticket.

Example: Booked through Airline A, flight operated by Airline B → Airline B is legally responsible for care, rerouting and compensation.

This distinction is frequently misunderstood — courts consistently confirm the operating carrier is responsible for compensation under 261/2004.